The Los Angeles Clippers (49-25) and their first-ranked offense welcome the Golden State Warriors (60-13) and their first-ranked defense. Action begins at 10:30 pm ET on Tuesday, Mar. 31 and can be seen on TNT.
The Clippers played well in their last game, topping the Celtics 119-106 on Sunday. Chris Paul was a key piece, recording his 37th double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 assists. The Warriors, meanwhile, are coming off a 108-95 win against the Bucks on Saturday. Stephen Curry was the game’s top scorer, registering 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
J.J. Redick and Paul have been better than usual over the last five games for the Clippers. During that stretch, Redick has averaged 21.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 3.4 three-pointers, while Paul has recorded 22.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 11.8 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.6 three-pointers a game. Curry has upped his play for the Warriors. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 28.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 5.4 three-pointers.
This showdown pits one of the league’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses, as Los Angeles currently ranks first in the NBA in offensive efficiency and Golden State is first in defensive efficiency.
The Warriors lead the season series against the Clippers two games to one, including a 106-98 win the last time these two teams met. Shaun Livingston had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
The odds for Los Angeles and Golden State are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Clippers have gone 49-25 Straight Up (SU) and 34-40 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 9-3 SU and 7-5 ATS against divisional opponents. Los Angeles is the most disciplined team in the league with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.07.
In the other locker room, the Warriors have a record of 44-28-1 ATS and 60-13 SU. Golden State performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning an 8-2 record. Offensively, they average 109.8 points per game, which is tops in the league. The Warriors rely heavily on three-pointers on offense, ranking second in the league with 784 made (10.7 per game). The Warriors are a very unselfish team with a NBA-leading 27.4 assists per game. Golden State is the second-best team in the league at scoring points off turnovers with 19.6 per game.
The Warriors’ win over Los Angeles in their last clash brought the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over the last 10 meetings. On the other hand, the Warriors hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4. Over the last 10 matchups, Golden State held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice. Los Angeles performed this feat one time.
Predictions: SU Winner – GS, ATS Winner – GS
Notes
The Los Angeles Clippers are among the highest-scoring squads, earning an average of 106.5 points per game (ranked second), while the Golden State Warriors are in the top half of NBA teams in points allowed with 98.9 (ranked 14th).
On average, Los Angeles gives up 97.8 points per home game. Golden State averages 106.6 points per away game, ranking the team second in scoring.
The Golden State Warriors sit undefeated (40-0) in games in which their opponent scores fewer than 100 points. Conversely, the Los Angeles Clippers have an underachieving 7-14 record when they don’t put up at least 100 points.
When the Warriors give up at least 100 points to their opponent, they are 20-13. When the Clippers hit the century mark, they also have a winning record (42-11).
The Warriors have the second-best offensive rating in the NBA (108.6). The Clippers are also in the top half of the league based on their defensive rating of 102.7 (ranked 15th).
Golden State has an average field goal percentage of 47.8% (ranked first). Los Angeles is a poor 7-14 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
In comparison to the rest of the league, the Los Angeles Clippers see similar results in both field goal percentage and effective field goal percentage, ranking second for both metrics. The Golden State Warriors also rank the same for both FG% and EFF%, coming in at first.
The Golden State Warriors top the league in assists, earning 27.4 per game this season. The Los Angeles Clippers are also among the best in the NBA, earning 24.7 per game (ranked third).
With 6.2 blocks per game, the Golden State Warriors rank second in the league. The Los Angeles Clippers are in the top half of NBA teams for blocking, ranking 10th with 4.9 blocks per game.
Los Angeles ranks 28th in offensive rebounds, while Golden State ranks fourth in defensive rebounds.
Golden State averages 9.5 steals per game (ranked fourth). Los Angeles is 11-8 when allowing at least 9 steals.
